When a wealthy and respected businessman is found dead in suspicious circumstances an investigation is begun into what happened by the police. The case falls into the hands of Detective Inspector Derek Townshend, who has recently been transferred to Hereford, working for the West Mercia Police Force. He and his team have to start from scratch, with no apparent motive and no suspects. It seems that everyone the police talk to is either lying or holding back the truth and each clue that is found seems to open up more avenues to be followed.